HC Deb 02 February 1978 vol 943 cc257-8W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if community dentists are permitted to undertake private practice; and if any of the work done at community dental surgeries may be charged to the patient.

Mr. Moyle

Part-time community clinical dental staff may engage in any activity outside the hours for which they are contracted, including, if they wish, private practice. Whole-time community clinical dental staff may also undertake other work outside their contracted hours, but must have the express consent of their employing authority to do so. None details of the survey see "The General Household Survey, Introductory Report Her Majesty's Stationery Office 1937.

The information presented below on bronchitis, emphysema and asthma is derived from the combined results of the 1972 and 1973 General Household Surveys and relates to persons reporting illness and not to the incidence of disease. Occupational category is not available, so rates per thousand population by socioeconomic group have been shown.

of this work may be undertaken in community dental surgeries.

Administrative dental officers are precluded by their terms of service from undertaking private practice, which is defined for this purpose as including general dental practice.

All the patients at present treated in community dental surgeries are, with one small exception, in categories which are exempt from dental charges; persons under the age of 21 years who are receiving further education at an establishment which is not a school are exempt from dental charges except for those in respect of dental appliances. When the community dental service treats adult handicapped patients, they will be liable to charges for dental appliances but may be able to claim remission on grounds of low income.